Washington, DC – DNC Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz issued the following statement today on the confirmation of Julian Castro as Secretary of U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development:

“I would like to congratulate Julian Castro on his confirmation as Secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. As the mayor of San Antonio, Julian demonstrated his leadership and commitment to ensuring expanded opportunities for all. Castro helped revitalize San Antonio by attracting new businesses and investing in education to prepare the next generation of workers for the jobs of tomorrow. His experience will help him forward HUD’s mission of strengthening our communities and bringing the dream of home ownership within the reach of more Americans.

“With the Senate’s confirmation of Secretary Castro, the Obama administration adds another cabinet member who will be a powerful advocate for the Latino community and all Americans and demonstrates the President’s commitment to building an administration that reflects the value of diverse backgrounds and experiences.

“On behalf of Democrats, I would also like to thank outgoing Secretary Shaun Donovan for more than five years of dedicated service. Under Secretary Donovan, HUD has helped stabilize the housing market in the wake of the economic crisis and prioritized keeping working families in their homes.”